Student Spotlights
College of the Mainland has a long history of student success stories. This year, we’re spotlighting some accomplished graduates and current students to celebrate. Mario Garza Spring 2025 COM Graduate COM alumnus Mario Garza arrived at College of the Mainland as a driven student eager to move forward, but without a clear sense of direction.
Faculty Spotlight: Bernie Smiley
For more than two decades, College of the Mainland (COM) professor Bernie Smiley has been a familiar face and an influential force in the lives of COM students. This year the community recognized his impact once again. Smiley earned second place in The Daily News Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Professor, marking his second consecutive appearance among
Faculty Spotlight: Dalel Serda
Dalel Serda became a professor of English at College of the Mainland (COM) in Spring 2010. With a background that blends strategic communication and creative expression, she earned her Bachelor of Science in advertising from the University of Texas in 2001 and later completed her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing at the University
Partnerships
Aspen Institute Presidents & Trustees Collaborative Alongside our University Transfer Partnerships with colleges like Texas Woman’s University, University of Houston and University of Houston-Downtown, College of the Mainland (COM) is proud to partner with educational collaboratives and industry leaders to support student success. COM President Dr. Helen Brewer and the COM Board of Trustees have
Horizons 2026 Message From the President
At College of the Mainland (COM), we believe education is more than a credential or a degree.